Russia Ready to Consider Extending New START Treaty if Receives US Offer

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Director of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control Mikhail Ulyanov said that Moscow will consider extending the New START arms reduction treaty should the United States submit its offer.

TOKYO (Sputnik) – Russia is ready to consider extending the New START arms reduction treaty should the United States submit its offer, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Director of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control Mikhail Ulyanov said Friday.

"We have not received any official suggestions in this regard… As for the extension, if such a proposal will arrive, we will consider it as is customary in diplomatic practice," Ulyanov told RIA Novosti.

The US press cited President Barack Obama’s administration officials in its July 10 report indicating that Obama planned to offer extending the New START Treaty for five years beyond 2021. Obama reportedly wants to make sure the next US administration does not interrupt the further reduction of nuclear weapons deployment.